By Jonathan Kent BBC correspondent in Kuala Lumpur

Taiwan's claim to have the world's tallest building has been disputed by the organisation that is recognised as the leading authority on the subject.

Taipei 101 can only be called the tallest when it is occupied

Speaking at a conference in Malaysia on the future of skyscrapers, the chairman of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitats said that the Taiwanese building has not yet met all the criteria to be considered the tallest.

For six years the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur has revelled in holding the title for the world's tallest buildings, the Petronas twin towers.

But on Friday national pride suffered a long-awaited blow when Taiwanese engineers added a pinnacle to the new Taipei 101 building, which is 508 metres (1,676 ft) tall.

This now stands a good 50 m taller than Kuala Lumpur's twin towers.

A look at the world's tallest skyscrapers In pictures

But the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitats, which traditionally adjudicates on such matters, says Taiwan's boast that it has the world's tallest tower is premature.

Its chairman, Ron Klemencic, says that a candidate building first has to be occupied and in use.